Tang says Constitution underpins Hong Kong order
Hkgov · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung said after a court's guilty verdict in an incitement to subversion case that the Constitution is the most important component of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's constitutional order and is vital to “one country, two systems”. He said the ruling allowed justice to be done in the case involving the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance, Lee Cheuk-yan, Ho Chun-yan and Chow Hang-tung.
Key Points
- Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Tang Ping-keung linked the court's guilty verdict to the constitutional order of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
- Tang said the judgment delivered justice in the case against the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance and defendants Lee Cheuk-yan, Ho Chun-yan and Chow Hang-tung.
- He said the alliance had, since its establishment, pursued agendas to end the Chinese Communist Party's leadership and overthrow the People's Republic of China's constitutional system.
- Tang said the Constitution is the State's fundamental law, while Article 22 of the Hong Kong National Security Law prohibits overthrowing or undermining the PRC's fundamental system.
- He said the defendants allegedly continued acts after the national security law took effect, including attempted unauthorised assemblies, slogans, publications, interviews and public speeches.
Why It Matters
Tang's remarks set out the government's interpretation of how the Constitution and the Hong Kong National Security Law interact in cases involving alleged subversion. He also said authorities would act strictly according to the rule of law and show no leniency toward attempts to endanger national security.